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FACTS & STATS: Site: Ryan Field (49,256) -- Evanston, Illinois. Television:BTN. Home Record: Minnesota 1-1, Northwestern 2-0. Away Record: Minnesota 1-0, Northwestern 0-1. Neutral Record: Minnesota 0-0, Northwestern 0-0. Conference Record: Minnesota 0-0, Northwestern 0-0. Series Record: Minnesota leads, 49-30-5.

GAME NOTES: The Minnesota Golden Gophers and Northwestern Wildcats are both coming off losses and they now face one another in the Big Ten opener for each program this weekend at Ryan Field.

The Gophers had a chance to make a name for themselves this past weekend, but were instead outlasted by nationally-ranked California 35-21. It was the first loss at new TCF Bank Stadium for Minnesota, which opened the year with close wins over Syracuse and Air Force. The Gophers now turn their focus to Big Ten play, where they went just 3-5 a season ago.

As for Northwestern, it took to the road for the first time last weekend and was nipped, 37-34, on a last second field goal by Syracuse. The loss was the first of the year for the Wildcats, as they opened the campaign with triumphs over Towson and Eastern Michigan. Northwestern went a successful 5-3 in the Big Ten last season and one of those victories came over Minnesota, 24-17.

The Gophers though, still own a 49-30-5 lead in the head-to-head series with the Wildcats.

The Gophers hung in with Cal this past weekend, but the offense wasn't all that impressive. As a matter of fact, the unit had trouble both gaining yards and protecting the ball, managing just 270 total yards with three turnovers. Quarterback Adam Weber accounted for all three turnovers on interceptions but finished the game a respectable 21-of-32 for 226 yards and two touchdowns. The interceptions tough to overcome, but Weber had only thrown one in the prior two games and he has now passed for 693 yards on the year. Eric Decker is clearly his favorite target and he has posted 27 catches for 415 yards and two scores. Minnesota's all-time leading pass catcher, Decker was sensational last weekend, as he threw a touchdown, in addition to hauling in eight balls for 119 yards and two more scores. It marked Decker's fourth straight 100-yard receiving game dating back to last season. Decker though, suffered a sprained ankle and is listed as questionable for this weekend. If he can't go, Minnesota will need more from its ground game, which is averaging only 85.7 ypg thus far.

Minnesota had its hands full with Cal's high-powered attack last weekend and the defense, like most units, could not slow down tailback Jahvid Best, who ran for 131 yards and five touchdowns. The Gophers surrendered 415 total yards in the game, well above their season average of 352.7 total ypg. Minnesota allowed Cal to convert 16-of-25 pass attempts and 7-of-15 third downs, while recording just one turnover and two sacks. Nate Triplett had 10 tackles in the loss and he leads Minnesota with 36 stops for the year. He also has the team's lone pick in three games.

The Wildcats did a nice job of moving the ball last weekend, gaining 466 total yards, but they turned the ball over three times in a tough 37-34 loss to Syracuse. Quarterback Mike Kafka accounted for all three turnovers, although he was a big reason why the offense was successful. The senior first broke a 47-year-old school-record by completing his first 16 passes, while also recording a rushing, passing and receiving touchdown. Kafka, who has completed 74.4 percent of his tosses on the season, finished the game 35-of-42 for a career-high 390 yards with three touchdowns and one pick. Drake Dunsmore hauled in 10 of those passes for 90 yards and a score, while Andrew Brewer added four receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown. Brewer, who also threw for a score, leads the team with 236 receiving yards and two touchdowns on the season. Northwestern played the game without leading rusher Stephen Simmons, as he sat out with a leg injury. Simmons rushed for 150 yards over the first two games and with him out of the lineup, Northwestern managed only 52 yards on 28 attempts last weekend. He is listed as questionable for this weekend.

Northwestern's defense couldn't stop Syracuse when it needed to and allowed 10 unanswered points over the final six plus minutes of a 37-34 setback. On the day, the Wildcats were beat for 471 yards by the Orange, which used 346 passing yards to move the ball successfully. Northwestern, which is giving up 211.3 passing ypg on the season, did get in for four sacks and that helped the defense force a pair of turnovers. Brad Phillips led the charge with an all- around effort that consisted of seven stops, a sack, a forced fumble and interception. It was certainly a terrific performance by Phillips, who ranks third on the club with 17 stops this season.

Both clubs are coming off a loss, but Northwestern's has to be more disappointed considering the opponent. Minnesota has shown it can move the ball behind Weber and he should be able to lead the team to victory this weekend.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Minnesota 31, Northwestern 27